Gender Differences in ICT Use Among Small Business Owners in Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Alice Etim ◽  
David N. Etim ◽  
George Heilman
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Information And Communication

In the last two decades, microfinance institutions across regions have helped to financially build small businesses in areas of disadvantaged populations. The efforts in providing entrepreneurs with small non-collateralized loans (or micro-loans) along with developing cooperative programs for entrepreneurs were reported in earlier studies as being helpful in alleviating some borrowers from extreme economic poverty. However, early warning signals were raised about whether microfinance institutions were benefiting themselves more than the poor. This article assesses the differences in attitudes toward the use of information and communication technology among small business owners in Ghana that have access to micro-loans. The findings indicate significant differences between interest payers and interest non-payers based on region of the country, age, education, and membership in an entrepreneurship program.

Gender Differences in ICT Use Among Small Business Owners in Ghana

2021 ◽  
pp. 1378-1391
Author(s):  
Alice Etim ◽  
David N. Etim ◽  
George Heilman
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Warning Signals ◽  
Disadvantaged Populations ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Information And Communication

In the last two decades, microfinance institutions across regions have helped to financially build small businesses in areas of disadvantaged populations. The efforts in providing entrepreneurs with small non-collateralized loans (or micro-loans) along with developing cooperative programs for entrepreneurs were reported in earlier studies as being helpful in alleviating some borrowers from extreme economic poverty. However, early warning signals were raised about whether microfinance institutions were benefiting themselves more than the poor. This article assesses the differences in attitudes toward the use of information and communication technology among small business owners in Ghana that have access to micro-loans. The findings indicate significant differences between interest payers and interest non-payers based on region of the country, age, education, and membership in an entrepreneurship program.

Growth and Development of Small Business Through Microfinance Activities in Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-34
Author(s):  
Chandra Prasad Dhakal
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Economic Activities

Small businesses play important role for economic development and stability. It develops access in financial services through enhancing economic activities. The study analyzes the growth and development of small businesses that enhance through the support of micro finance in Nepal. Descriptive and inferential were used to collected data and collected data were analyzed through using multiple linear regression analysis. Only 124 small business owners were selected for this study. The study helps to find out the growth of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and small businesses in emerging economy in Nepal. It also assists MFIs to assess the effectiveness of their services and help to efficient utilization of available resources in the economy of Nepal.

Access to and Use of Information and Communication Technology and Task Performance

Mousaion ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wuraola J. Oyedipe ◽  
Sunday O. Popoola
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Joint Effect ◽  
Public University ◽  
Relative Effect ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Job Knowledge ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
And Task

The study investigated the relationship between access to and use of information and communication technology and task performances of library personnel in public university libraries in South West Nigeria. The total enumeration technique was used to cover 330 library professionals working in public university libraries in the zone. A self-developed questionnaire was used to obtain data. Out of the 330 copies of questionnaire administered 248 (76.6%) copies were found useable. The findings revealed that the level of task performances of the respondents was high, and the level of access to ICT was high, while the frequency of ICT use was moderate. The results indicated that there was a positive relative effect of ICT access and use on task performances. The study also found a significant relationship between the access to ICT, ICT use and task performances of respondents, while there was a significant joint effect of access to ICT and ICT use on the task performances of library personnel. The study recommended the constant development of personnel regarding job knowledge and skills, the promotion of creativity and adaptability skills to enhance personnel task performances, while library managers should continue to make ICT tools accessible for library personnel to allow their use in improving the workflow in the library.

16Up: Outline of a Study Investigating Wellbeing and Information and Communication Technology Use in Adolescent Twins

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 345-357
Author(s):  
Brittany L. Mitchell ◽  
Katherine M. Kirk ◽  
Kerrie McAloney ◽  
Margaret J. Wright ◽  
Tracey A. Davenport ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Study Participants

AbstractThe ‘16Up’ study conducted at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute from January 2014 to December 2018 aimed to examine the physical and mental health of young Australian twins aged 16−18 years (N = 876; 371 twin pairs and 18 triplet sets). Measurements included online questionnaires covering physical and mental health as well as information and communication technology (ICT) use, actigraphy, sleep diaries and hair samples to determine cortisol concentrations. Study participants generally rated themselves as being in good physical (79%) and mental (73%) health and reported lower rates of psychological distress and exposure to alcohol, tobacco products or other substances than previously reported for this age group in the Australian population. Daily or near-daily online activity was almost universal among study participants, with no differences noted between males and females in terms of frequency or duration of internet access. Patterns of ICT use in this sample indicated that the respondents were more likely to use online information sources for researching physical health issues than for mental health or substance use issues, and that they generally reported partial levels of satisfaction with the mental health information they found online. This suggests that internet-based mental health resources can be readily accessed by adolescent Australians, and their computer literacy augurs well for future access to online health resources. In combination with other data collected as part of the ongoing Brisbane Longitudinal Twin Study, the 16Up project provides a valuable resource for the longitudinal investigation of genetic and environmental contributions to phenotypic variation in a variety of human traits.

scholarly journals Attitude and potential benefits of modern information and communication technology use and telemedicine in cross-sectoral solid organ transplant care

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Holderried ◽  
Ansgar Hoeper ◽  
Friederike Holderried ◽  
Nils Heyne ◽  
Silvio Nadalin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Organ Transplant ◽  
Solid Organ Transplant ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Modern Information

AbstractSituations like the COVID-19 pandemic urgently require the implementation of eHealth for vulnerable patient populations. Here we quantitatively evaluate use and potential of modern information and communication technology (ICT) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. We conducted a structured, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study that was addressed to patients after kidney, liver, pancreas, or combined transplantation. We focused on: sociodemographic data, present use of digital technologies in daily life and for health reasons, patients’ eHealth literacy, and their overall attitude towards eHealth. A total of 234 patients completed the questionnaire. Most of the patients (90%) have a web-enabled computer, 78.2% have a smartphone, and 71.8% regularly search the internet for health-related information. Sixty-eight percent would like to receive discharge summaries online, and 54% would like to chat online with their physicians. Even though ICT use in daily life was age-related, no significant difference could be shown for health reasons or the type of transplanted organ. Modern ICT use is predominantly accepted for health reasons by SOT recipients. Regardless of the transplanted organ, a deeper integration of eHealth has potential for improving cross-sectoral care. To successfully implement eHealth technologies in cross-sectoral care future research should include online physician–patient communication, data security, data safety, and the aspects of quality and safety of care.

Measuring Success in Family Businesses: The Concept of Configurational Fit

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Hienerth ◽  
Alexander Kessler
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Comparable Data ◽  
Measurement Instruments ◽  
Success Measurement ◽  
Success Evaluation ◽  
As Effects

The problems associated with measuring success in small businesses are primarily caused by a lack of comparable data due to the ambiguity of “success” and by subjective biases. Success evaluation is dominated by the estimates of business owners, who tend to overestimate overall success and internal strengths. However, reliable success measurement instruments would be useful for small business owners/managers as well as small business policymakers. The main purposes of this article are to compare various measures of success, to explore the differences in their outcomes, and to analyze whether a model of success measurement using configurational fit can be used to overcome subjective biases. The study is based on a recent survey of 103 small family-owned businesses in the eastern Austrian border region. Our analysis of the data confirmed the existence of the measurement problems mentioned above. Although some individual indicators show significant biases as well as effects due to company age, size, and industry, the aggregated indicator based on the concept of configurational fit seems to be an appropriate means of overcoming most of these drawbacks.

scholarly journals The perception of sponsorship usefulness among South African small business owners

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-488
Author(s):  
Catherine Mpolokeng Sephapo ◽  
Johannes Arnoldus Wiid ◽  
Michael Colin Cant
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Business ◽  
South African ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Brand Image ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Marketing Tool ◽  
Marketing Budgets

Sponsorship is a powerful marketing tool that organisations in South Africa are embracing. From the evaluation of the sponsorship growth over the years, the industry in South Africa has developed from a R63 million industry in 1985 to the value of just under R7 billion in 2011 (City Press, 2012). Small businesses in South Africa are faced with the challenge of effectively reaching target segments. These small businesses are restricted in terms of limited marketing budgets and therefore need alternative ways of improving their brands in the eyes of the consumer. Theoretically, sponsorship is considered to improve the brand image of an organisation and ultimately improve sales. However, the question that this study aims to answer is whether small business owners perceive sponsorship to be a useful tool that even they can utilise. The study made use of a quantitative approach whereby a web-based questionnaire was distributed to small business owners. The findings indicated that the general attitude towards sponsorship as a marketing tool is positive. The correlation between sponsor sincerity and sponsorship usefulness was found positive; however, average in strength. Although sponsorship is seen as a useful tool, 15.4% of the respondents indicated that they would not consider using this marketing tool. This response may provide an opportunity for further research to be conducted which may shed some light on the strategies small business owners perceive to be most effective for their unique circumstances

scholarly journals Authentic Leadership Influenced on the Acceptability of Information and Communication Technology for School Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daryanto Daryanto ◽  
Taryudi Taryudi ◽  
J D Ticoh
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Authentic Leadership ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
School Management ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
Information And Communication

Authentic leadership and school culture are essential factors influenced the acceptability of information and communication technology (ICT) for school management. This study aims to determine the effect of authentic leadership on the acceptance of ICT for school management. This study was conducted using a casual survey with proportional random sampling technique. A total 191 respondents were agreed to join in this study. Data were analyzed using path analysis with Partial Least Square (PLS) approach. The results of this study showed that authentic leadership has a positive and significant impact on ICT acceptance. In conclusion, authentic leadership influenced directly and indirectly perceptions of ICT use, easy use, attitude to use, and actual ICT.

Introduction

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Courtney Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Structural Adjustment ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Economic Stability ◽  
The Great Recession ◽  
Justice Movements ◽  
The Impact

This introduction describes how encouraging a diversity of small businesses can help support a Native Nation’s long-term economic stability, but goes further to demonstrate this uniquely through the eyes of the small-business owners themselves along with an in-depth examination of their local, national, and international contexts. In doing so, it describes how this book also addresses the ways in which Native Nations, by supporting small business resilience, are responding in politically and socioeconomically meaningful ways to settler-colonial economic subjugations. This introduction further describes how the book unpacks the layers of small-business complications specific to Native Nations and American Indian business owners while speaking to larger theoretical questions regarding the impact of small businesses in a global indigenous context. Debates regarding economic sovereignty versus economic power, measures of autonomy, land status, economic identity, fluctuating relationships with settler-colonial society, and the growth of neoliberalism (along with its accompanying “structural adjustment” policies) meet with specific practices, such as the implementation of guaranteed annual incomes, cultural revitalization actions, environmental justice movements, and the potentially precarious choices of economic development—issues that are exacerbated during times of economic precarity, such as the Great Recession.

The Most Critical Problem for the Fledgling Small Business: Getting Sales

1984 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harriet Buckman Stephenson
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Government Regulation ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Critical Problem ◽  
Paper Work ◽  
Stage 1 ◽  
Selling Process ◽  
Regulation Costs

The most pressing problem of small business owners is how to get sales now and in the future. Items such as inflation, taxes, government regulation, costs of paper work, etc. become more important as a small business moves beyond stage 1 and possibly 2. Yet even then, how to get customers should still be the significant focus. Many entrepreneurs, especially providers of services, rely almost exclusively on word-of-mouth, which is often ineffectively utilized and, as the major source of business, should not be relied on. The entire selling process must be focused on in the first stage to change the survival rate of small businesses.

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